New Renault Megane RenaultSport R26.R shocker

Making its worldwide debut at this week’s British Motor Show is the new £22,990 Renault Megane RenaultSport R26.R that’s being readied for general release in October. Limited to 450 units globally, 230 examples of the crazed 230bhp, 228lb-ft of torque prescribing R26.R will make it to British shores.

Having set a new lap time at Nurburgring of 8 minutes 17 seconds – and so with it the fastest recorded for a front wheel drive production car – it wont come as a shock to learn the R26.R hits 62mph in 6.2 seconds. But then, you might think well, I’ve seen faster. That’s as maybe, but when you read that the top whack is 237mph you’ll probably begin to question your sanity.

If a poll was to be taken to determine which car manufacturer employed the craziest engineers, it’s a pretty safe bet to assume that one with a decidedly French ring to it would appear near the top. No, not Citroen. We’re talking utter lunacy. So Renault, please step forward.

Having done everything they possibly could to make both the Renault Clio and Renault Twingo take flight, stopping short of strapping wings to the doors, Renault’s extreme madness division – RenaultSport – have rounded up those who’ve recently escaped the asylum clutching an engineering qualification, and released them from their backward fastening clothing.

They in turn seem to have rewarded their new employers by constructing the Renault Megane RenaultSport R26.R. Clearly bypassing the touring car or rally sport route to harnessing the power of something dastardly and lending it to road legal production, the ‘engineers’ in question went and knocked on the French manufacturers’ Formula One team door, enquiring as to whether they had any spares lying around not doing anything.

Method you see, in all that madness malarkey.

Renault’s F1 team duly obliged – obviously not wanting to upset those with deranged expressions etched onto their faces – and handed over the engine, transmission and limited slip diff straight out of the R26 racer whilst smiling politely and backing away slowly.

You see, we don’t use the word madness lightly. 230bhp in something that weighs 1,230kg and directs this power at only the front two wheels is certifiable territory in anyone’s book.

To prove its F1 mettle, the R26.R features a carbon bonnet, polycarbonate windows, race seats, a six-point harness and bright red 18” rims. A fire extinguisher and a Gideon’s bible are found under the passenger seat too.

R26.R decals also figure strongly, and buyers will be pleased to know it comes in seven exterior colour swatches, two of which are completely new to the Megane - Racing Blue and Renault i.d Lunar Grey.

Naturally, if you don’t want to live so dangerously, you can opt for a roll cage and a titanium exhaust. Which means the last sound you hear wont be birdsong a la Disney unconsciousness, but more a hollow roar from somewhere behind you.

The Megane R26.R has been developed for track days first and foremost, which is why less is more in the cockpit. No back seats for starters helps cut down on surplus calories the R26.R doesn’t want to be seen carrying. Which explains the distinct lack of passenger and curtain airbags, climate control, rear wipers, heated rear window – bit of a fire hazard on plastic – front fog lamps, radio and most of the soundproofing.

A plaque commemorates the production number. Another one can be engraved to acknowledge the name of the person who used to sit there and enjoy the views.